Banco Walmart opens its 1 millionth account

It has granted 150 credit lines to suppliers, totaling $710 million pesos

Mexico City March 15, 2011 - After four years of operations, Banco Walmart opened 1 millionth account today, in one of its Mexico City branches. The account holder was rewarded with a $10,000 pesos deposit in their Banco Walmart savings account.

“Banco Walmart contributes towards improving the quality of life for families in Mexico, providing them with basic banking services at a low cost. In less than one year, we have given back more than $14.8 million pesos, in cash, to our customers using Banco Walmart cards in Walmart stores. We plan to open 62 new branches in 2011 (an increase of 24% over 2010) in order to bring this kind of service to more Mexicans nationwide. It is estimated that 70% of the population does not have access to bank services,” said Raúl Argüelles, senior vice president corporate affairs Walmart de México y Centroamérica.

“Since opening in 2007, Banco Walmart has generated more than 1,800 jobs throughout the country; it has received $1.34 billion pesos in deposits; it has granted $965 million pesos in credit through its Super Crédito credit card; and has supported $710 million in supplier development with more than 150 credit lines through the Credimpulsa program,” added Argúelles.

“It is an honor for us to celebrate Banco Walmart’s first million customers,” said Carlos Cárdenas, vice president of MasterCard products for Mexico and Central America. “This important accomplishment has been possible thanks to a very sound relationship and undoubtedly represents the beginning of much success together. Our business alliance will benefit even more customers through efficient and safe electronic-payment solutions such as credit and debit cards.”

Banco WalmartBanco Walmart has more than 263 branches in 31 cities throughout nine states in the country: Greater Mexico City, State of Mexico, Puebla, Jalisco, Morelos, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacán and Querétaro. An additional 1,571 in-store cashiers at Bodega Aurrerá, Walmart, Superama, Sam’s Club, Suburbia, VIPs and El Portón allow customers to pay their utilities, make withdrawals, deposits and check their balances.

Walmart de México y CentroaméricaWe contribute towards improving the quality of life of Mexican and Central American families.

Walmart de México y Centroamérica is a retail company whose vision is contributing towards improving the quality of life for Mexican and Central American families. It operates in six countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. It has a wide array of business formats including discount stores (Bodega Aurrerá Express, Despensas Familiares and Pali), supermarkets (Superama, Paiz, Despensa de Don Juan, La Unión y Más x Menos), warehouses (Bodega Aurrerá, Mi Bodega Aurrerá and Maxi Bodega), hypermarkets (Walmart, Hiper Paiz and Hipermás), membership pricing clubs (Sam’s Club and ClubCo), apparel stores (Suburbia), and restaurants (Vips, El Portón and Ragazzi), totaling 2,303 units as of March 7. In 2010, Walmart de México y Centroamérica reported sales in excess of $334.51 billion pesos. Additional information about Walmart de México y Centroamérica can be found online at http://www.walmartmexico.com.mx. Find us on Facebook (Walmart de México y Centroamérica) and Twitter (@WalmartdeMéxico).